Anglia Ruskin University stages 'MIND You Drop in Day'

Published: 27 April 2006 at 10:35

Anglia Ruskin University is holding a mental health ‘Drop in Day’ event during MIND week to give students, staff and other visitors tips on how they can help themselves to enhance their positive mental health and well-being.

Activities for students and staff – planned for the University’s Cambridge and Chelmsford campuses on 16 May – will focus on a holistic approach to mental health, highlighting the link between physical and mental well-being, the role of spirituality and creativity in mental health, healthy lifestyles, stress management and relaxation techniques. There will be Shiatsu massage taster sessions, free samples of healthy foods, healthy recipes and information, health information and meditation instruction.

There will also be an opportunity for students of Anglia Ruskin to find out more about support systems available both within the University and outside for those experiencing mental health difficulties.

“As part of our Mind the Gap project we are trying to help students and staff to actively improve their own mental health and well-being.”

“The Mental Health Foundation is asking people to talk freely about their mental health and for us this means our students. We are keen to discuss with them about how to stay well mentally, how to cope with stress and how to stay balanced as they work towards their various goals in higher education.”

The objective of the Mind the Gap project, run from the University Centre for Teaching and Learning is to work with teaching and learning support staff to best meet the learning needs of students experiencing mental health issues while at Anglia Ruskin University. Along with other initiatives, this project is aimed to help improve student retention and achievement rates. This special event follows on from the success of a similar day – staged on World Mental Health Day – in October last year.

According to MIND, the leading mental health charity in England and Wales, mental health problems can affect anyone, rich or poor, young or old, shattering the lives of those affected and the lives of the people close to them. One in four of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives. Each year more than 250,000 people are admitted to psychiatric hospitals and over 4,000 people take their own lives.

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